RV Battery Storage Tips

RV Battery Storage Tips

RV battery storage is for any RV owner who plans to store their rig during the winter. Fortunately, property battery storage isn’t very difficult. In fact, most RV owners don’t have to do anything more than leave their rig plugged in over the winter. That’s usually enough to keep the battery from freezing. Other RV owners have to remove the battery from the vehicle and put it on a trickle charge. How do you know which option is best for you? Signal Connect shares these and other important RV winter storage tips.

First, Some RV Winter Storage Tips…

… The battery is the last thing you’ll need to pull when storing your RV in the winter. Before that, you’ll need it to start your RV. While it’s running, you need to walk through and check to make sure everything is working. Here are just some of the things you should inspect before storage:

Every water faucet

Lights

Shore power

12 Volt DC power

Air conditioning/heat

Shower

Every interior light

Refrigerator

Even after you shut your RV off, there are a few more things you should check. This includes your awning, tires, and everything else that is replaceable. Why do we do this before winter storage? Because it gives you a chance to fix these issues before the long winter. There’s nothing worse that getting your camper out of storage in the spring only to be sidelined by much-needed repairs.

RV Battery Storage Tips

If you’re storing your RV this winter, you have to keep it on a “trickle charge.” Why? Because a battery won’t freeze if it remains in a high state of charge. If you keep your battery on a slow steady charge, the batteries remain charged despite freezing temperatures. Even at 62 percent charge, your battery won’t freeze until the temperature reaches -16 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some RV owners don’t need to remove the battery from their campers or motor homes during the winter. If your rig was built within the last 20 years, you might be one of them. Most RVs built during this time come with a three- or four-stage converter with a trickle charge mode. If your RV has one of these, leave it plugged in over the winter and your battery will remain charged. (This assumes you don’t experience a power outage.) Check with your RV dealer or online to make sure your rig has a converter with a trickle charge mode.

When to Remove Your RV Battery

Don’t freak out if you have an older RV or it doesn’t have a converter. There’s an easy and affordable way to keep your battery charged when you’re not using it. The first thing you need to do is remove the battery from your RV and put it in storage. Yes, you can even set on the concrete floor of your garage if you want to. Today’s battery cases are made of plastic so they won’t lose a charge when set on top of concrete like those older batteries with rubber cases.

Once you remove your battery, connect it to a trickle charger like this one. Just plug this device into a wall outlet, connect the clamps to your battery, and you’re good to go. The charge will “trickle” out into the battery as it needs it, keeping it fully charged at all times and safe from freezing. There’s even a smaller version of this battery charger for cars, motorcycles, and ATVs. Both of these trickle chargers are available through Solid Signal, an online electronics distributor and division of Signal Connect.

The Perfect Winter Upgrade for RVs

DIRECTV in your recreational vehicle is a great winter upgrade for nearly every owner, even those who store their rigs. Right now you’re probably thinking, “Why would I want to pay for DIRECTV I’m not going to watch?” The answer: you won’t. When you get DIRECTV from Signal Connect, we can put your account to “sleep” during the months your RV is in storage. This means you don’t get billed for it during this time.

When spring rolls around, you pull it out of storage. After you get it road ready, give us a call. Your Signal Connect rep will quickly wake-up your DIRECTV account so you can watch it. Imagine having all of your favorite news, sports, and entertainment when you’re camping in the woods or at an RV park. DIRECTV’s satellite reach nearly every spot here in the continental U.S., so you can count on having it wherever you go.

If you’re a snow bird, there’s even more reason to make DIRECTV your winter upgrade. It means you can watch your favorite shows right now! Signal Connect can get you the DIRECTV viewing package and satellite equipment, and even connect you with a professional installer. Once the installation is complete, your Signal Connect rep will quickly activate your account so you can enjoy your DIRECTV right away. If you have questions or want more information, please fill out the form below or give us a call at 866-726-4182.